Open articles in category : Astronomy

Within the Solar System, surfaces of the atmosphere less bodies are strongly influenced by factors often associated with the expression "space weathering" (*). Recent scientific evidence has shown that the aging process surface due to space weather has a very strong momentum (of the order of one million years) relative to the age of the solar system (about 4.5 billion years).

"Science and journalism - friend or foe?" gathered at the British Council's genuine friends of knowledge. They represent many fields including media, IT, architecture, education, psychology, theology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, linguistics and climate. The story of the event continues now with the second part, and this precedes the one dedicated to few of the email questions and aspects addressed by friends of the Science Newspaper.

The celebration of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 involved 148 countries, a number that confirms that the IYA2009 network is the largest ever in science. Activities and events from these participating nations paint a picture of professional and amateur astronomers bringing the Universe down to Earth through countless projects, opening the eyes of the public to the wonders above.

Although we do not have instruments to measure the degree of boredom or the properties of time, one thing is for certain: the science cafe on the relationship between science and journalism lasted two hours. Two times more than the initial planned programme. The topics, the discussions between participants and video dialogues with partners from UK, Greece and Romania seem to have dilated time. In a pleasant way and for all those who were or wished to be present at this event. That's because we have received email requests from young researchers and science communicators from abroad.

Imagine for a moment that you could peer into the future what would you look for? Perhaps in your excitement, you'll want to know how things will turn out tomorrow or even five years from now. As your glance moves from family to friends and business relations, the thrill continues with one delightful discovery after the other until all of a sudden and with a screech, you are stuck in traffic. You think to yourself for a moment:  "why didn't I look out for the traffic". This is the real world, welcome to Lagos.

Cancer. Obesity. Robot. Astronomy and peace. Premier League. Life and comet. These are the keywords for the week that has just passed.

In a remarkable first for the UK, the European Space Agency (ESA) has touched down in Britain, heralding the start of a new space age and thrusting the sector forward for the next 40 years and beyond.

Dr. Eric Demoncheaux is Head of Science at Battle Abbey School, which lies on the historic site of the Battle of Hastings in 1066, built by William the Conquerer. Eric gives us his highlights of National Science and Engineering week where our co-editor visited the school to meet some young scientists.

In 1609 the Italian scientist Galileo Galilei used the telescope for the first time to comment on the sky, which meant a revolution in astronomy. People found with astonishment that the surface of the Moon has similar forms of relief to land (mountains, valleys, Crate, plains, etc.) Around the planet Jupiter rotating four natural satellites, now called Galilean satellites, it was found that on the surface of the Sun appear occasionally some dark spots, and not least in the Milky Way there are thousands and millions of stars. To mark the astronomical revolution that has radically changed the design of the human universe, the United Nations has decided that 2009 should be considered the International Year of astronomy and worldwide events are occurring to mark this astronomical anniversary. Activities are conducted under the aegis of the International Astronomical Union in partnership with UNESCO.

The Japanese Space Agency has developed a satellite to help scientists keep a closer eye on the level of gases, which contribute to global warming. It is called GOSAT - or Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite - and it is designed to greatly improve measurements of carbon dioxide and methane that are currently taken on the earth's surface. But there is only a limited number of ground based locations which take measurements and they are sporadically distributed around the globe.

This year, like every year, Yuri's night takes place on April 12th and is a celebration of humanity's achievements in space. Each April 12, people from around the world come together to mark the anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's first flight into space (in 1961) and the first launch of the US Space Shuttle (in 1981).

The Universe became access all areas these days as a new astronomical observatory opened its doors for everyone to use. The Montegancedo Astronomical Observatory, which is part of the ASTROCAM network, officially opened on 23 January 2009 to coincide with the International Year of Astronomy 2009.

The most spectacular meteor shower acts as the basis for the origin of a new project between science and music. It is the work of the same team of three that did the soundtrack of an eclipse.

Science and music; or what an astronomer, a science journalist and a composer can do.